Abstract

AGRICULTURE TECHNIQUES IN CULTIVATION AND CONSERVATION OF SWERTIA CHIRAYITA (ROXB. EX FLEM.)

Sonam Gupta*

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Abstract

Swertia chirayita, one of the herbs classified under Karyadravas, is a popular medicinal herb indigenous to the temperate Himalayas. It is used in traditional medicine to treat numerous ailments and is reported to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. Its medicinal usage is well-documented in Indian pharmaceutical codex and in different traditional medicine including Ayurveda. The increasing high usage of Swertia chirayita combined with its habitat destruction has resulted in a drastic reduction of its populations and has brought this plant to the verge of extinction. The implication of losing this plant species due to extinction lies not only in the loss of genes useful for plant development or in the biosynthesis of new compounds but also the loss of potentially novel compounds of pharmaceutical or nutraceutical benefit. In view of the above there is a felt need for development of new Agriculture techniques and use of biotechnology for cultivation and conservation of this important herb. The present review emphasizes on the latest agricultural techniques for cultivation of Swertia chirayita, and its role along with biotechnological methods in preservation of its natural habitat.

Keywords: Swertia chirayita, Biotechnology, Tissue culture techniques, Conservation, Cultivation.